Packaging food products



May 7, 1949. o. E- RUECKERT 2,470,579

ncmeim roon PRODUCT F1166. Jan. 19, 1946 IN VEN TOR.

A7702 EY Patented May 17, 1949 2,470,579 PACKAGING FOOD PRODUCTS Dean E.Rneckert, Mokena, Ill., assignor to Swift 8: Company, Illinois Chicago,111., a corporation of Application January 19, 1946, Serial No. 642,257

Claims. (Cl. 99-174) This invention relates to a novel package, and ithas to do more particularly with a method of packaging elongated piecesof food products, such as frankfurters, skinless frankfurters, sausagesand the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a packet in which thefrankfurters are uniplanariy arranged in desired multiples.

Another object is to provide a sturdy package to maintain thefrankfurters arranged in one plane notwithstanding rough handling.

A further object of the invention is to provide a packet which makespossible a full, attractive display of the food article containedtherein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an inexpensivepackage for frankfurters bearing permanent identification of theproduct.

Yet another object of the invention is to package frankfurters in suchmanner as to allow a large amount of surface exposed to air.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a package forfrankfurters which shrinks with the product and thus always keeps thefrankfurters tightly banded. 7

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from adescription of the invention given below.

Heretofore, the practice in merchandising frankfurters has been to placea number of frankfurters in a box, arranged in layers, the individualfrankfurters usually being ringed with a band bearing the desiredprinted matter, and being removed from the box in a quantity desired tobe bought by the customer. This practice of merchandising frankfurtershas the disadvantage of not affording the means whereby the product maybe attractively displayed to the customer. Moreover, the labelling bandringing the individual frankfurter is often torn loose, thus not onlydetracting from the appearance of the product but also causing a wasteof labelling material.

Another practice in merchandising frankfurters has been to sell them inbundles completely enveloped by a suitable wrapping material, such ascellophane, the bundle usually being surrounded by a suitableidentification band. In this procedure the disadvantage residesprincipally in preventing air from reaching the surface of the foodproduct. On standing, especially in a warm place, the frankfurters tendto sweat, and because there is no opportunity for the mois ture toevaporate, a mold later develops, thus rendering the product inedible.

In accordance with this invention, I have found 2 that the objectshereinabove mentioned may be achieved and the disadvantages attendingprior identification band over the frankfurters, tying the bundle with acord pulled longitudinally over the identification band, and thentensioning the longitudinal cord by a crosstie effected midway of thebundle.

In packaging frankfurters in accordance with the principles of thisinvention, bundles composed of a multiple number of two, three, four,five or any desired number of frankfurters may be satisfactorily formed.The preferred bundle is in multiples. of four and consists of eightfrankfurters, since this quantity seems to be most likely to satisfy thedemands of retail buyers.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in thefollowing drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in the severalfiguresindicate identical elements:

Figure l is a top plan view of a bundle of frankfurters packaged inaccordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a bundle of frankfurters shown inFigure 1, and Figure 3 is an end view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1. r

Referring'to the drawings, the desired number of frankfurthers areplaced side by side on a piece of paper board 2, such as solid sulflteor bleached manila-lined board, etc., as backing material for the foodproduct. The area of this cardboard backing may vary within wide limitsdepending on choice. For best results, however, the length of the paperboard support is commensurate with the length of the bundle, but neednot be so wide as the bundle. Obviously, the closer the width of thepaper board approximates that of the bundle, the greaterlsupport isafforded the projecting ends of the frankfurters.

After the desired number of frankfurters have been properly arranged onthe paperboard 2, a suitable paper band 6 of a desired size, say, 1%inches, bearing the desired indicia, is stretched over the bundlelongitudinally, and the ends of the identification band may be fastenedto the backing by any suitable means, as for example, scotch tape, heatsealing, or any suitable glue or adhesive. This band may also be wrappedcompletely round the as a method of being secured thereto. The band maybe composed of any suitable moistureor grease-resistant paper, and maybe coated with a small amount of a thermoplastic material should it bedesired to heat seal the band to the backing. Examples of suitable bandsare parchment, grease-proof, and-wet-strength grease-proof papers.

"l'he bundles may be tied by a string or cord I pulled longitudinallyover the identification band,

bundle one or more times It is obvious that more than one crosstic maybe employed, especially where it is desired to have a long bundle, thecrossties occurring, preferably, at equal intervals from one anotherover twisted in the back and then pulled midway through the bundle toform a crosstie I. The crosstie 1 makes the bundle sturdyby stifleningthe flexible cardboard backing. The band 4 disposed longitudinally overthe bundle distributes the pressure exerted by the string 8,- thuspreventing the string from cutting into the product, while the widebacking 2 prevents the tearing of the band 4 by the crosstie 1 since thepressure exerted by the crosstie is borne by the backing. A cottonstring is preferred as the tying means, for cotton string absorbsmoisture and thereby shrinks along with the product, thus making itpossible to compensate for the shrink in the product.

It is obvious that thetyins operation may be varied widely. For example,the use of a single cord, stretched lengthwise and then twisted in suchmanner as to also serve as a crosstie, as hereinabove described, is aconvenient methods of tying; or individual ties may be employed, onelengthwise and another crosswise .to form the crosstie; or it may befound advantageous to employ more than two ties. It might also be foundexpedient to tie the bundle by a tying machine, such as shown in theBunn Patent No. l,994,e53. At any rate, it is important to tie thebundle firmly so as to allow for product shrink between the time ofpacking and the time of sale.

I have found that the lengthwise and crosswise ties cooperate to give apacket that is sturdy. compact and tight. Because of the crosstieefi'ected midway of the bundle it is possible to use a light flexible,inexpensive backing. The crosstie imparts an unusual stifiening effectto the backing, making it dimcult to bend the bundle. In the absence ofthe crosstie, and if only the lengthwise string were employed, thebundle could be easily flexed in such manner as to shorten thelongitudinal string, and thereby cause the irankfurters to fall out fromthe package. The crosstie not only stiiiens the cardboard backing butalso serves to keep the longitudinal string taut over the irankfurtersif the bundle is bent. Moreover, since the crosstie rests primarily onthe edges of the wide backing, little pressure is exerted on theidentification band, and thus, it is possible to preserve it fromtearing or crumpling.

While the invention has been described in connection with the packagingof frankfurters, as representatively falling within the scope of theinvention, it is obvious that other food products formed into anelongated shape, similar to that of frankfurters, anddesired to bepackaged in a layer of a plurality of pieces, may be treated inaccordance with the principles of the invention. In addition to sausagesof various types, may be mentioned other food products that may beformed into an elongated shape, and which may or may not be contained ina casing, or enveloped by other suitable wrapping material,

such as certain smoked cheese products, chili.

con carne, tamales, candy products, etc.

the bundle. Another variation of the invention is to form the backingand identification band into one piece before being used, that is, byhaving one end of the band fastened to the backing and projecting fromthe backing as a tongue, which may then be stretched over the frank.furters and fastened to the backing in any suitable manner.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention, ashereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof, and, therefore, only such limitations should beimposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. The method of packaging elongated pieces of food products into atight, compact, attractive bundle, which comprises, arranging aplurality of said pieces crosswise in a layer on a paper board backingof a width substantially coextensive with the length of said pieces,pulling a printed identification band somewhat taut longitudinally overthe crosswise pieces in the layer and fixing the ends of the band to thebacking, said band being of a width substantially narrower than saidbacking, tying said bundle by a cord pulled longitudinally over the bandand tensioning said cord by a crosstle, said crosstie having the effectof bowing said paper board backing about its longitudinal axis tostrengthen the package and said string laying over the band in a. mannerto form a relatively wide obtuse angle with said band, whereby thetendency of the crosstie to sheer through the band is minimized.

2. The method of packaging sausage items into a tight, compact,attractive bundle, which comprises, arranging said items crosswise in alayer on a paper board backing, placing a printed identiiication bandlongitudinally over the bundle, said identification band beingsubstantially nar rower than said backing, pulling the hand some: whattaut and securing the ends thereof to said backing, tying said bundle bya cord pulled longi tudinally over the identification band, tensioningsaid cord by a crosstie at an intermediate point of the bundle, saidcrosstie having the cheat or bowing said paper board backing about itslongitudinal axis to strengthen the package.

3. The method of packaging irankiurters hailing a slight naturalcurvature into a tight, compact, attractive bundle, which comprises arranging a plurality of frankiurters crosswise in a layer on a somewhatresilient and normally fiat paper board backing of a width substantiallycoextensive with the length of the frankiurters, said frankfurters beinglaid on the backing so that their natural curvature causes them to bowaway from. the plane of the backing, placing a printed identificationband of a width substantially narrower than said backing longitudinallyover the frankfurters, tying said bundle by a cord pulled longitudinallyover the band, and tensioning said cord by a crosstie to bow saidbacking about a longitudinal axis to conform said backing to the naturalcurvature of the frankfurters, whereby on slight shrinkage of thefrankfurters which produces slack in the cord the said backing tends toresume its fiat shape, thus pulling on said crosstie, therebymaintaining the bundle tight and compact.

4. The method of packaging irankiurters a paper board backing of a.width substantially coextensive with the length of said frankfurters.

placing longitudinally over the bundle a printed identification bandsubstantially narrower than said backing, tying said bundle by a cordpulled longitudinally over the identification band, tensioning said cordby a plurality of crossties effected at desired intervals over saidbundle, said crossties having the effect of bowing said paper boardbacking about its longitudinal axis to strengthen the package.

6 ends of said band being secured to said backing, a longitudinal cordpulled over the said band, and, a crosstie adapted to bow saidpaper-board backing about its longitudinal axis to stiffen said backingand provide a. resilent take-up to hold said cord ties taut. 1

DEAN E. RUECKERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:v

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,816,400 Rohwedcler July 28,1931 1,857,722 Howell May 10, 1932 1,893,811 Ware Jan. 10, 19331,989,944 Quigg Feb. 5, 1935 2,125,833 Dowling Aug. 2, 1938 2,358,685Bunn Sept. 19, 1944 2,379,934 Seiferth July 10, 1945

